What is generally not known is that way back in 1977, BCC had set up a Tanding Committee of Councillors to “look into” the problem of potholes and suggest remedial measures and I have been talking to its Chairman. I put it to him squarely that his outfit was being tardy in its work because it was yet to submit its report even though 35 long years had passed.

So when we except you to submit your report?” “Oh, sometime during the latter half of 2021 after we’ve undertaken more round-the-world study trips.”

“Nonsense, “he snorted angrily, “your change is baseless, malicious and politically motivated. As soon as the committee was constituted, it met in plenery session and the member- secretary suggested that we undertake an extensive tour of Europe, North America and the Far East for a first hand study of the problem of potholes in those countries.”

“So you took off on your pleasure junket at the rate payer’s expense, “I Said.

“Look, “Said the Chairman angrily, “it wasn’t a junket. It was a study tour. The proposal was accepted without discussion and the members, accompanied by their wives and senior BCC officials left for Mumbai n route to Geneva where were looked for potholes on the Geneva-Strasbourg super expressway. We found a few depressions which our technical member, after a minute scrutiny said were potholes. After shopping for Swiss chronometer wrist watches and gold diamond jewellery, we left for Paris.”

“What did you do in Paris?” I asked. “Look for potholes on the champs Elysees opposite the French presidential mansion?”

“That’s right, “said the Chairman. “After buying chanel No.5 and other French perfumes in kilolitre quantities and the latest Christian Dior creations for our trendy teenage daughters, we flew to Washington abroad the supersonic Concorde airliner. In Washington we were ceremonially received by a cabbie who assured us of America’s full cooperation in tackling the problem of potholes in the interests of freedom and democracy. We diligently searched for potholes on Pennsylvania Avenue near the White House and we understand that president Obama was looking out of the Oval Office window keenly observing our work.”

“We then flew to Los Angeles to sightsee in Disneyland where we had a cordial meeting with Donald Duck, Mickey Mouse and Goofy and Uncle Scrooge who has agreed in principle to extend an interest – free loan of 5 billions dollars to BCC to solve the potholes problem.”

“After an extended vacation in Hawaii, we returned home Tokyo, Hong Kong and Bangkok. While in Tokyo, the entire committee diligently searched for potholes in the Ginza district.

“I’m sorry I said that you were dragging your feet,” I said. “I can see now that you were up to your necks in work. So when we except you to submit your report?”

“Oh, sometime during the latter half of 2021 after we’ve undertaken more round-the-world study trips.”

“So you want the people of Bangalore to patiently put up with potholes till then? I Said.

“That’s right, “said the Chairman, “ and continue tumbling into them and breaking their precious necks”